"I told Jonas Vingegaard that we would also protect him as well" - Alpecin-Deceuninck use Jumbo-Visma train to their adavantage

The final few kilometres of stage 7 of the 2023 Tour de France were technical. As such the GC team's nerves ensured they kept to the front of the peloton, something Alpecin-Deceuninck used perfectly to their advantage as Jasper Philipsen took another stage win.

"I think it went perfectly," said Jonas Rickaert, the penultimate leadout man for Philipsen in his post-stage interview with Sporza. "At the crucial point, we were right at the front, thanks to Søren who took another turn. At five kilometers from the finish, we were a bit far back, but then I moved up on the right side, where the Jumbo-Visma riders were."

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And it was this switch towards Jumbo-Visma and their train, one that was trying to keep race leader Jonas Vingegaard out of trouble, that proved key in helping the Alpecin-Deceuninck riders maintain optimal position, ready for the final sprint.

"You know that they are going to ride full throttle until three kilometres from the finish, so I told Jonas Vingegaard that we would also protect him as well. You have to take advantage of that a bit, of course," the Belgian rider admits with a beaming smile across his face. "Now we can enjoy a glass of Bordeaux wine."

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